Stingray, Bichir and Pleco?

[KyleFonz]

Hi, I have an algae problem on my 180g tank and am in need of an algae eater. I was planning to get a flagtail but was wondering if it is okay to add a pleco with my motoro stingray, ornate and endlicheri bichirs? I also have a silver and hbrtg arowana.

I’ve read somewhere that plecos usually eat off the slimecoat on bichris and that they are not recommended together, wanted to confirm here before I add in a pleco cause it might damage my bichirs or stingray.

Other notes, I also run a UV but not all the time because my water is not green. It’s the brownish algae on the bottom, sides and back of the tank is the issue.

 

[phreeflow]

Not all plecos eat algae…many are carnivores. Bristlenose are great but will get eaten. You can try a common brown or albino pleco. Never had a pleco both my bichirs

 

[ADawson23]

I would not recommend a pleco with your ray. I have seen personally and heard plecos sucking on rays.

What is your method of filtration?
What are your current water parameters?
What is your water change schedule and how much are you changing?

With having an aero and a ray your going to need to upgrade your tank very soon. The algae could be from the lack of filtration.

 

[kno4te]

Some plecos can suck on bichirs. Seen bichirs go after the tails of rays and sometimes not. I’d avoid the mix altogether.

 

[litigator666]

its a trial and error mixing pleco with bichir/rays. i suggest you get a medium size albino sailfin pleco and observe it. i have success keeping 10-18cm albino pleco with 2ft bichirs and rays and failures as well. being albino you can easily see what they are doing and scoop them out the moment you see them sucking the slime.

 

[tlindsey]

I suggest you skip the Pleco like others have stated because it will add to your bioload. I recommend doing larger water changes and reduce the lighting time. I agree with ADawson23 about the upgrade.